Trace-carrier.



No. 739,694. PATENTED SEPT. 2-2, 1903.

' A. B. MEINHARDT.

TRACE CARRIER.

ABPLIUATIDN FILED FEB. 21. 1902.

H0 MODEL.

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NITED STATES ADAM l3. MEINHARDT, OF PAXICO, KANSAS.

TRACE-CARRIER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 739,694, dated September 22, 1903.

Application filed February 21, 1902. Serial No. 95,073. (No model.)

To all whon't it WZ/Lty concern;

Be it known that I, ADAM B. MEINHARDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paxico, in the county of Wabaunsee and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Trace-Carriers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a trace-carrier; and the primary object'of the same is to-provide a simple and effective device which is attachable to portions of harness in convenient position for easy connection and disconneetion thereto of traceends to prevent the traces from dragging on the ground and becoming injured, the improved device embodying in its organization positively-operating securing members for engaging the rear terminals of the traces and carried by a single fulcrum or pivotal elementand individually controlled by independent springs.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a portion of harness shown applied and including the improved trace-carrier. Fig. 2 is a top' plan view of the carrier detached. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken in the plane of the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section taken in the plane of the line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view of one of the catch members. Fig. 6 is a detail in plan view of the spring used in connection with each catch member.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The improved trace -carrier' embodies a,

frame 1, of open structure and of polygonal contour, having a front loop 2 for the attachment of the rear terminal of the back-strap of harness and a diametrically opposite loop 3 for the securement of the orupper-strap. In planes at right angles to the loops 2 and 3 are opposite slots d for securement of the hip-straps. Extending transversely of the frame 1 are opposite arcuate members 5, which are spaced apart a suitable distance and connected by a central longitudinally-extending bearing element 6, comprising thickened or enlarged ends 7, connected by an integral top covering plate or web 8. The arcuate members 5 are strengthened by upweirdly-inclined braces 9, extending thereto from the marginal rim of the frame 1, and rising from the inner barslO, forming the inner Walls of the slots 4, are keepers 11, having upper downwardly and outwardly inclined edges 12 and inner vertical straight edges 13 to form catches. Ooacting with the keepers 11 are oppositely-disposed independently-operative locking members 14:, comprising outer terminals with lower convex edges 15 and in- -ner hollow heads 16, having opposite spaced ends 17, with openings therein connected by closed bottoms 18. The ends 17 are apertured and are at such distances apart that when the two heads are assembledin relation to the bearing element 6 they will operatively occupy the space between the inner opposing sides of the head 7 of said element, and through the ends 17 a fulcrum pin or screw 19 is passed and has the shank thereof passing through the saidheads smooth and unscrew-threaded. Between the ends 7 and surrounding the pin or screw 19 are individual springs 20, having one terminal of each extending into a seat-recess 21 in each head and the opposite terminal bearing against the plate or web 8, connecting the end 7 of the bearing element 6. As clearly indicated by Fig. 2, each spring has its inner terminal engaging the seat 21 of the adjacent head 16 and extending in reverse directions, and through the medium of the said springs the locking members are normally held down in close contact with the keepers 11, as clearly shown by Fig. 3, and when the said locking members are raised such operation is pursued againstthe resistance of the springs 20.

Theim proved trace-carrier always remains in connected relation to the parts of the harness heretofore set forth and also has diagonally-disposed connecting-bars 22 for the attachment of such other additions to the or dinary harness as maybe desired in certain arrangements of the latter. When the traces are disconnected from the swingletree or other device with which they may have been connected in the operation of unhitching, the

rear ends of the same are drawn upwardly and pushed into the carrier between the keepers 11 and the locking members 14, thereby raising the said locking members against the action or resistance of the springs 20, which will cause said locking members to return to normal position after the cockeyes or loops have passed over the keepers and bear against the inner vertical edges or shoulders 13. When -the trace ends are so connected to the carrier, it is obvious that they will be prevented from falling toward and dragging upon the ground and injury to the traces is thus prevented. The detachment of the traces may be readily effected by pulling out wardly thereon in view of the fact that the under edges of the locking members 14 are convex in contour; but when the harness is removed the trace ends may remain in conneeted relation to the carrier, the springs 20 being strong enough to resist accidental opening movement of the locking members 14.

The improved device may be constructed of suitable material and also ornamented as desired, and in addition to its intended function will present an ornamental appearance and serve as a strong connecting means for the parts of the harness between which it is interposed.

Though the preferred form of the improved device has been shown, it will be understood that the shape, as well as the proportions, dimensions, and minor details, may be varied without departing from the principle involved.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is In a trace-carrier, the combination of a frame having an open base for attaching parts of harness thereto,upwardly-proj ectin g keepers at opposite sides of the base formed with inner vertical straight edges, the upper-edges of said keepers being downwardly and outwardly inclined, and an upper shell-like center bar, a pivot-pin extending longitudinally through the center bar, locking members having inner hollow heads, the said heads having opposite spaced ends and closed bottoms, the inner ends of the heads closely bearing against each other and the outer ends thereof bearing against the inner faces of the center-bar ends and completely taking up the space between the said inner faces of the center-bar ends, and independent springs arranged and held separately within the hollow heads and surrounding the said pin to normally hold the outer extremities of the looking members downwardly against the upper terminals of the keepers, the locking members projecting from the center bar in reverse directions having the end edges of their free extremities curved in the arcs of circles to freely ride over the upper edges of the keepers.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ADAM B. MEINHARDT. Witnesses:

P. J. SOHOTT, B. J. MEINHARDT. 

